5 Popular Locations for Your Shoot in Fresno

Every city has it’s popular locations for photos. Fresno is no different and each location offers unique looks with every season of the year. I’ve shot at each of the locations I feature below and I’ve included brief commentary with each picture.

5 Popular Locations for Your Shoot in Fresno

1. Woodward Park

If you’re looking for a diverse natural setting for your shoot in Fresno, Woodward Park is an ideal location. As the largest park in the city, it offers a variety of settings: a creek, lake, Japanese Garden, variety of trees, BMX course, seating areas and even art installations. There is also a great view of the countryside on the other side of the San Joaquín River if you’d like a deep background. Sunsets are also beautiful on the north end of the park.

The picture shows Lauren who’s a lover of pinup fashion and featured it for this, her senior pictures. We shot in November which provided beautiful fall colors–an important element that Lauren looked for in her pictures.

With paid admission into the park, it’s free to shoot. However, there is a photography fee to shoot at the Japanese Gardens.

Shinzen Japanese Gardens website: https://www.shinzenjapanesegarden.org/

Tower District

The Tower District generally has a grungy image due to it’s quasi-bohemian reputation. There are murals about the neighborhoods, as well as unique boutiques, restaurants, theaters, bars and clubs. But not everything has to be grungy. For example, on the side of Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater is this wall. I love its design! When Shaquille texted me an image of this outfit for the shoot, immediately, I had this setting in my mind. I knew that it would create a chic picture.

It all works so well! The green of his pants is the complimentary color of the maroon on the wall and his own shoes. Both colors (green & maroon) also work well with Shaquille’s skin tone. The green vertical lines behind him harmonize well with his pants and his top is just the right off-white for the overall color harmony.

For the sake of brevity in this article, I feature one picture per locations. You may follow my on Instagram for more examples of photoshoots in Fresno.

Downtown

The most popular area for photos in Fresno seems to be downtown. One of its strongest allures is downtown’s architecture. Fulton Street features the iconic tall buildings featured in postcards for decades. Such is The Grand, on the corner with Toulumne Street. Built in 1924 by a local architect, the first floor continues to hold banquets, just on the other side of those windows. It’s this history that inspired me to pose Denise Rogers-Heydt there. She dons a beautiful skirt and top created by House of Francisco who’s studio is just behind The Grand. This picture is one of three of my front covers in magazines. The above image was featured in Fashion As Art Magazine, Dec 2021.

Do you have a favorite downtown landmark? Share in the comments below.

Clovis Botanical Garden

This spring, I noticed that a few photographers had shot in The Clovis Botanical Garden. So, I thought I’d include this picture that I took of my fiancée, Lupe López, 2019. The garden is on Clovis Avenue, between Alluvial and Nees Avenues and it’s operated by volunteers. Admission is free but a $25 donation is requested for photography.

The first tree was planted in 2001 and now it features a walkway and plants of various kinds including some native to the Mediterranean, Chile and California. We shot in the fall and found beautiful pink flowers budding. They made a nice backdrop for Lupe’s red pinup dress.

If you’re looking for a small and intimate natural setting, The Clovis Botanical Garden might be an ideal location for your next photoshoot.

Clovis Botanical Garden website: https://clovisbotanicalgarden.org/

Blossoms

While the weather determines when the blossoms bloom, generally, they are ready for your photoshoot during the last two weeks of February and into early March. Temperatures in the 70s encourage budding while colder weather slows blossoming. Strong winds and rain can knock them off the branches and a freeze can be damaging. So, blossoms are rather sensitive but when they are in full bloom, they make memorable pictures.

David and his daughter posed at Mike’s Family Farm. Mike is a friend of mine and he allowed us to shoot. It’s a must to gain permission from each orchard’s owner to shoot. On the other hand, The Blossom Trail allows for anyone to shoot. All you need to do is to follow the trail and let your imagination go to work for your pictures.

Blossom Trail Website: https://goblossomtrail.com/

Conclusion

As you see, Fresno offers a good variety of locations and settings. They’re ideal for your graduation pictures or engagement, wedding, birthday or for simply celebrating you in our hometown. Which is your favorite from above or do you have one that you prefer that was not mentioned? Share below as I’d love to hear about your experience or inspiration for your next photoshoot in Fresno.